Multi-linked flexible connector



De@ 30, 1969 H. JECHIN 3,487,159

MULTI-LINKED FLEXIBLE CONNECTOR Filed Jan. 9, 1969 ATTO EYS UnitedStates Patent 3,487,159 MULTI-LINKED FLEXIBLE CONNECTOR Harry Jechin,New York, N.Y., assignor to Dossert Manufacturing Corporation, Brooklyn,N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Jan. 9, 1969, Ser. No. 790,093

Inf. Cl. Hozg 3/02 U.S. Cl. 174-72 10 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSUREA multi-linked flexible connector of a heavy gauge material. Theconnector has elongated, flexible arms. The connector is completelyinsulated and when installed may be submersible and since the heavygauge arms are flexible, they can be entered into even conlined orinaccessible locations by bending to a convenient position in which theconnecting cable is fixed. The installer may maneuver the compressionend of the connector into any desirable position suitable for a crimpingoperation in a limited space.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In prior constructions of relatively heavygauge multiarm connectors, it has been a problem of maneuvering thecompression end of these heavy gauge connectors into various positionsfor crimping operations, especially in a limited space. Since each leadof the heavy gauge connectors was fixed to the other lead in common, itwas diicult to maneuver the bulky connector unit to connect a number ofca-bles. It was, therefore, awkward and sometimes impossible to makeconnections to the various connectors of the multi-connector element.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a principal object of the presentinvention to construct a relatively heavy gauge multi-arm connector,known as a flexible crab, which may be `used and maneuvered intodesirable positions for suitable crimping or other installationoperations in limited spaces. The heavy gauge multi-arm connector isprovided with a plurality of flexible arms each having connectingelements or conductors tied together by means of a tie rod or a bridge.The entire unit is covered with an insulating substance. The design maytake the form of a tie `bar having, for example, three or four elementsaixed in a linear relationship or said elements arranged in a clusterformation.

The connecting end elements for the flexible arms can be severalconductors, cable or wire. In addition, the connecting end elements maybe of the compression type wherein the element is made of a ductilematerial and is suitable to accept various types of crimps. Furthermore,a mechanical clamp type may be employed where the element is secured tothe connector by means of a screw and pressure plate. In addition, otherend connecting elements may also be employed, such as a cone-type colletmechanical device which can secure the cable or element to theconnector, or an end connecting element and adjacent cable, and each ofwhich has a tlat pad with aligned holes to enable the same to be boltedtogether. The flexible legs of the heavy gauge multi-arm connector areomni-directional and are of suflicient size to handle the maximum ca'bleor wire to be connected to each of the connecting end elements.

It is therefore a principal object of the present invention to provide amulti-armed, heavy gauge connector, with said multiplicity of flexiblearms having connecting end elements.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a connectorwhich is completely insulated and when installed canbe submersible inwater or located underground.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a variety ofpossible cable sizes to be inserted in the connecting end elements orconductor connecting receptacles of the flexible arms by the use of softaluminum inserts or shims which will compensate for the differencebetween the internal diameter of compression end of the connecting endelements and the diameter of any smaller cable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a partial elevation, partialsectional view of a multi-linked flexible connector of heavy gaugematerial constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the lines 2-2 of FIG. l.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view of a detail of construction of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an alternate embodiment of the present multilinked, liexibleconnector of heavy gauge material.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view of a detail of construction shown in FIG.4.

FIG. 6 illustrates a partial sectional and a partial elevational view ofa connecting end element having a cable secured therein.

FIG. 7 is an alternate construction, being a partial sectional and apartial elevational view of a connecting end element showing anothermethod of axing a cable therein.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of another type of end connecting element inwhich a cable is secured thereto and FIG. 9 is a partial elevation andsectional view of another type of end connection for the presentiiexible conductor.

The connector 10 is preferably constituted of aluminum but may also befabricated of copper and comprises a tie bar 12 having a plurality offlexible legs 14 depending therefrom. Each of the legs 14 is preferablycircular in cross-section so that the bending of each of the legs may beomni-directional. At the free end of each of the ilexible legs 14 is anenlarged connecting end element 16 which is provided with a reentrantopening or passageway 18 extending from the outer end of the connectingelement 16 inwardly. The connecting elements 16 that are not in use maybe sealed by means of a cap 20; As seen in FIGS. 3 and 5, each of theflexible legs 14 is secured to the tie bar 12 by means of welding orbrazing at location 22. In addition, FIGS. 3 and 5 also illustrate theflexible legs 14 as being, respectively, solid or stranded, and alsoapplicable to both FIGS. 1 and 2. It should be noted that insulatingcover 24 surroundsI the tie bar 12 as well as exible legs 14,

FIG. 4 shows an alternate construction constituting a cluster of threeflexible legs 14 secured together by means of the tie bar 12.

FIG. 6 shows a connecting end element 16 in detail being of thecompression type wherein the element is made of a ductile material andis suitable to accept various types of crimps 27 in order to aflix thecable or wire 28 within the passageway 18 in the connecting end element16. FIG. 7 is an alternate embodiment of the connecting end element 16which discloses a structure comprising a mechanical clamp wherein apressure plate 30 moved by a screw 32 is adapted to engage a surface ofthe cable or wire 28. The screw 32 is screw-connected in a threadedopening 34 in the insulating cover 24. Thus, the rotation of the screw32 in a selected direction will either clamp the cable or wire 28 in thepassageway 18 or unclamp the'sam'etherein FIG. 8 illustrates acollet-type end connection for the present multi-linked flexibleConnector as an alternate for element 16 in which two sleeves 36 and 38and two compression nuts 40 and 42 and the nipple 44 have a coaxial bore46 accept the cable 28. Since the sleeves 36 and 38 are taperedinternally and provided with slots 48 the turning of compression nuts 40and4 42 in the proper direction will compress and grip the cable 28.Thus7 the cable 28 is directly connected to the leg 14. FIG. 9illustrates another form of an end connection constituting a flat pad 50at the extreme end of each of the flexible legs 14 instead of the endconnecting element 16 shown in FIG. 1. The pad 50` is provided withholes 52 which are adapted to be aligned with holes 54 of thecomplementary flat pad 56 on the cable 28. Bolt means 58 may be used tosecure the cable 28 to the flexible leg 14 by passing the same throughaligned holes 52 and 54 of the pads 50 and 56 respectively.

It should be noted that the application of an insulating cover 24 to themulti-linked, flexible connector is accomplished either by dip-coatingthe insulation on the connector or by encapsulating or molding the sameon the metal connector.

It should be further noted that the present multi-linked, flexibleconnector of heavy gauge material is provided 3. A multi-linkedconnector as claimed in claim 1 Vwherein at least one of said connectingend elements is constituted of a ductile material suitable for acceptingvarious types of crimps.

4. A multi-linked connector as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of saidflexible legs is circular in crosssection.

5. A multi-linked connector as claimed in claim 1 wherein said endconnecting element is provided with a pressure plate engaging an outersurface of said wire, a threaded stud on said pressure plate, and athreaded opening in said end connecting element through which said studis screw-connected.

6. A multi-linked connector as claimed in claim 1 further comprising acollet-type connection on at least one of said flexible legs forreleasably holding said wire therein, said collet having a pair ofsleeves which are internally tapered and provided with slots and whichengage both said flexible leg and said wire respectively, and acompression nut for each sleeve which when rotated in a selecteddirection will compress and grip said wire and said flexible legtogether.

7. A multi-linked connector as claimed in claim 1 wherein said end`connecting element is a flat pad having with a multiplicity ofconnecting elements which are omnimay be affixed thereto. The presentdevice, therefore,

achieves a complete independence of each lead of the flexiblepre-insulated connector crab. In addition, a variety of relatively smallcable sizes may be inserted in the passageways 18 of the connecting endelements 16 by means of selected soft aluminum inserts or shims whichwill compensate for the difference between the diameter of the cable andthe diameter of the passageway 18. Thus, the same die can be used tocrimp all ends of the connecting end elements 16 regardless of cablesizes utilized with the present connector.

What is claimed is:

1. A multi-linked connector of heavy gauge material for a wirecomprising a plurality of elongated flexible legs, said legs beingomni-directional, a tie bar interconnecting said flexible legs, an endconnecting element at the end of each of said elongated flexible legs,and external insulating means covering at least substantially said tiebar, flexible legs and end connecting elements.

2. A multi-linked connector as claimed in claim 1 wherein said heavygauge metal is aluminum.

spaced holes therein, said wire being provided with acorrespondingly-shaped end part provided with spaced holes therein thatare adapted to be aligned with the holes in the flat pad of saidconnector, and securing means in said aligned holes for fastening saidWire to said connector.

8. A multi-linked connector as claimed in claim 1 wherein said endconnecting element is provided with an elongated passageway therein foraccepting an end of said wire therein with a snug fit.

9. A multi-linked connector, as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least oneof said end connecting elements is of a ductile crimpable type having anelongated passageway therein and provided with selected shims therein toenable the installation of a smaller size wire in said elongatedpassageway.

10. A multi-linked connector as claimed in claim 1 wherein said legs,tie bar and end connecting elements are integral.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,087,384 7/1937 Lee 174-722,956,107 10/1960 Monashkin 174-71 3,137,764 6/,1964 Gunthel et al174-72 LARAMIE E. ASKIN, 'Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R.

